DMDK releases first list of candidates

Chennai, Mar 31 (UNI) The Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) today announced its first list of candidates for the May 8 Assembly elections in which the Party Founder and Actor-turned Politican Vijayakanth will seek election from Vriddachalam in Cuddalore District.

Announcing this at a press conference here, Vijayakanth released the list containing the names of 140 candidates, including 18 women and said the final list for the remaining 94 constituencies will be out before April 6.

The actor had already announced that the DMDK would go it alone in the polls in all the 234 constituencies. Party Presidium Chairman Panrutti Ramachandran will contest from Panrutti in Cuddalore district.

Mr Vijayakanth said the party will come out with the election manifesto in the next couple of days.

Vijayakanth said Party Deputy General Secretary P Parthsarathy will contest from Tiruvallur while Treasurer R Sundarrajan will seek election from Madurai Central. Party Headquarters Secretary T Murugasen will contest from Uthiramerur and Propaganda Secretary V C Chandrakumar from Erode. The DMDK chief criticised the DMK's manifesto for promising to supply rice at Rs two per kg and said Mr Karunanidhi could have implemented it during his earlier regime if he had been really interested in the welfare measure.

Referring to other promises, including free distribution of colour TVs and the ruling AIADMK's promises in its manifesto, Vijayakanth said the people would decide the fate of such pledges.

The DMDK will approach the people highlighting the 'evils' of both the AIADMK and the DMK, he said.

It will also spread awareness among people about the DMDK's promises like supply of ration at doorsteps and improving the standards of government schools to those in the private sector during the election campaign.

To a question, he said there was overwhelming response among the people whenever he attended party meetings and he had come to understand the people of Tamil Nadu wanted a change which, he hoped, would get reflected during the polls.